The first class was Orientation, and it was already a mess.
No signs, no maps, and definitely no one willing to help. I passed the same arched hallway twice before I realized the portraits were watching me — not whispering, not moving — just judging silently.
"First years this way."
A voice rang out behind me, clipped and annoyed.
I turned and saw a tall girl with silver rings braided into her locs. She wore a deep navy uniform with a House sigil embroidered in metallic thread — a coiled serpent wrapped around a sword.
I fell into step beside her, not bothering with pleasantries.
The Orientation Hall was built like a cathedral — stone walls, stained glass ceiling, and a raised dais where faculty waited. Students filed in, some laughing, some whispering. A few glanced at me. Most didn't care.
Until he walked in.
Lucien Vale.
He didn't look at me. Didn't even glance. Just took his seat at the far-right row — House Vale's section, apparently — and leaned back like he ruled the place. Which, judging by how everyone subtly shifted when he moved, he probably did.
Headmistress Hale appeared with a snap of wind that blew out half the torches.
"Sorting begins," she announced, voice like ice.
Each name called brought a light show of House colors. Applause for some, murmurs for others. A boy with antlers growing from his scalp was placed into House Thorn. A girl who looked like she could snap bones with a stare was sent to House Draven.
Then—
"Seraphina Nightborn."
My stomach dipped.
I walked forward. The hall fell oddly quiet. Not hostile. Just... expectant.
Headmistress Hale studied me. "A rare name."
I gave nothing away.
She reached into a crystal basin and drew out a card that shimmered like steel.
"House Vale."
Gasps. Whispers. A couple students near Lucien actually stood in shock. He finally looked up — just a glance — and then back down.
As if I were a complication.
Hale handed me a silver pin shaped like the house sigil. "Try not to embarrass them."
I nodded and returned to my new seat — the one directly behind Lucien.
He didn't turn. Didn't speak.
But I saw the corner of his mouth twitch.
Just slightly.
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